Pentagon announced 11,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, contrary to previous report

Due to Obama-era cap on troops, Pentagon’s previous report put the number of U.S. troops on 8,400.

On Wednesday, Pentagon reported that the number of U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan reaches up to 11,000.

Dana White, the Defense Department spokeswoman, noted that the new number does not suggest an increase in troop numbers. During the Obama administration, Pentagon had reported there were less than 8,400 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a limit on troop numbers that was set in Obama-era.

Dana White, the Defense Department spokeswoman and the former Foreign Policy Advisor to John McCain

Spokeswoman White said Pentagon had reached the new number of U.S. troops after Defense Secretary James Mattis abandoned the previous method of counting troops and counted shorter missions and partial-unit deployments, plus other factors.

“These changes will help us enhance the trust the public has placed in the department,” White added in a press conference in Pentagon.

Lt. Gen. Frank McKenzie Jr., Joint Staff Director Marine Corps, said the new number is not precise, rather approximate, for “operational security” reasons.

Lt.-General-Frank-McKenzie-Jr.-Joint-Staff-Director-Marine-Corps.

When asked about the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, White refused to provide information. The scale of U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria is also larger than the reported number by Pentagon.

“Each operational theater is different, and we have to consider different concerns. We are reviewing Iraq and Syria, and the same guiding principles will govern how we roll out those numbers,” White explained.
Because of the Obama-based troop caps, commanders keep the public troop count lower that what it really is, by moving troops around in a region and using specific accounting methods.

Mac Thornberry, HASC Chairman, praised White House and the Pentagon for “putting the facts on the table.” He then criticized former president Barack Obama.

“The Obama Administration did not shoot straight on how many people they sent to Afghanistan, which added cost to the mission and made it harder to succeed.” Thornberry said in a statement.

“It is important to be upfront about the importance of the mission and what it takes to succeed.”

When asked about the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, White refused to provide information. The scale of U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria is also larger than the reported number by Pentagon.

“Each operational theater is different, and we have to consider different concerns. We are reviewing Iraq and Syria, and the same guiding principles will govern how we roll out those numbers,” White explained.
Because of the Obama-based troop caps, commanders keep the public troop count lower that what it really is, by moving troops around in a region and using specific accounting methods.

Mac Thornberry, HASC Chairman, praised White House and the Pentagon for “putting the facts on the table.” He then criticized former president Barack Obama.

“The Obama Administration did not shoot straight on how many people they sent to Afghanistan, which added cost to the mission and made it harder to succeed.” Thornberry said in a statement.

“It is important to be upfront about the importance of the mission and what it takes to succeed.”

Earlier this month, President Trump decided to increase the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Pentagon have reported that 3,900 troops are preparing to join the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan.